Classic/Antique Car Repair: Fuel pump System, cleaner degreaser, fuel storage

Question
I spoke to you about restoring a '78 Mercedes 450SLC, however, I am having problems with fuel pump system.  Main componants of this system is Damper, fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel storage reservoir.  The rest of the stuff is fuel lines and clams, etc.  The fuel pump, and filter are brand new Bosch.  The fuel reservoir and the damper are old.  After attempting to start the car for several hours all together, I noticed that the new pump was not pumping passing to filter.  Then I decided to look at gas lines lines and the old parts.  Well, I found out that the damper(part the feeds from tank)had a small valve that was plugged with old gas and stuff.  I inserted a small nail and gave it a good clean up with Carburator cleaner/B12 Chemtool.  Again, the problem continued.  So, I felt that may be I had damage the pump with all that trying with a plug damper so I replaced it with a new one.  Now, I submurged the fuel reservoir in a cleaner/degreaser for 4 hours and getting ready to try again.  Any suggestions or Ideas on what to do next? Should I bust out and buy the other two parts?  Not rich!

Answer
 YOU SOUND AS YOU ARE DOING EVERYTHING THE RIGHT WAY  THE ONLY THING IF IT WAS ME - I WOULD TRY TO BLEED THE GAS LINE IF POSSIBLE OR TRY TO SQUIRT SOME GAS INTO THE FUEL LINE SO WHEN YOU  HOOK UP THE PARTS TO THE TANK YOU WILL HAVE FUEL IN THE LINE. / TRY TO START IT  AS IT WILL  HAVE SOME GAS TO START THE CAR / THAN IT WILL PULL THE GAS FROM THE TANK UP INTO THE PUMP- OR
YOU COULD RUN A RUBBER GAS  LINE INTO A GALLON CAN TO THE INTAKE SIDE OF THE PUMP AND SEE IF IT WILL START THAT WAY.
I THINK I WOULD TRY IT THAT WAY FIRST WITH CAUTION IF YOU HAVE A FIRE EXT. KEEP IT CLOSE FOR SAFTY . AS IF THE CAN EVER FELL OVER AND YOU DROPED A TOOL OR SOMETHING SPARKED ON IT.
LET ME KNOW OK
ROGER